OPINION:USMercenariesCouldStartAll-OutWarInUkraineforProfit

The deployment of foreign private security firms in Ukraine is unacceptable as they increase the risk of an outbreak of civil war, Dennis John Kucinich, a former US Representative from Ohio and a two-time presidential candidate, told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON, April 9 (RIA Novosti), Petr Martynychev – The deployment of foreign private security firms in Ukraine is unacceptable as they increase the risk of an outbreak of civil war, Dennis John Kucinich, a former US Representative from Ohio and a two-time presidential candidate, told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

“We saw in Iraq how private security forces can get out of control. Whenever you are in a politically sensitive, a militarily sensitive situation the last thing you want is private security out there, because they can actually profit by an expanded conflict. They can stir up a war and then profit from it,” Kucinich said.

The former US Representative said he is completely against the use of private security companies in any conflicts.

“If oligarchs want to hire people to protect them, they have a right to do that. But if nations bring in private armies you are looking at combustible material here because there is no control. The private armies will pursue private interests. They don't care about anything except making more money. And the more war there is, the more money they make,” Kucinich underlined.

The big question is who exactly is financing the deployment of such private armies in Ukraine, the politician noted.

“You know the only money that Ukraine is getting right now is from the IMF. Who is paying these private armies?”

The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier voiced concerns over the buildup of Ukrainian forces in the southeastern part of the country involving some 150 American mercenaries from the Greystone company.

Greystone is a private security company registered in Barbados, according to open sources. It boasts it provides "protective security and training solutions to customers in challenging environments.”

In February, the Ukrainian parliament, backed by far-right groups, ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, amended the constitution and scheduled an early presidential election for May 25.

Moscow has described the uprising in Kiev as an illegitimate fascist coup and a military seizure of power, which resulted in it taking steps to protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine, including the reunification of Crimea with Russia.